Downton Abbey Blues

An apology to readers not following or not fans of Downton Abbey, Season 3 of which is currently airing Sunday nights on PBS:

I am “in mourning” today that Lady Sybil died in last night’s episode. I’m so sorry she’s been written out of the script, as she was one of my favorite characters.

Now, what will happen to Branson and his motherless newborn daughter? Will he return to Ireland and take the baby, or allow the child to be raised by Lady Sybil’s family at Downton?

Did we see a foreshadowing last night that Mary and Matthew will not be able to have a child of their own? Will they adopt the baby?

Will Lady Cora ever be able to forgive Lord Robert for not listening to the village doctor who could have perhaps saved Lady Sybil?

Does anyone else wonder if Bates did after all kill his ex-wife? And what would happen to Anna, his oh-so-nice-and-sweet current wife?

Will Lady Edith ever be able to find her place in the world?

Are Lord Grantham and Matthew headed for a showdown over the estate’s management?

Will Ethel work out as a cook in Mrs. Crowley’s house?

And what's next down in the servant quarters? Will Daisy ever find true love? Will Mrs. Patmore ever start being nice to Daisy?

And what of Thomas and O'Brien? Will Thomas' secret life be exposed? Will O'Brien turn into a nice person?

I didn't think I would become so hooked on this program. As others have said, it's a soap opera. Ah, but the costumes, the historical background, the scenery. Each episode leaves me longing to see the next one!

With any luck, though, we'll continue to be entertained by the the Dowager Countess of Grantham's sharp and pointed one-liners:

Do you have any thought/opinions/predictions on the points above? Please share!